Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a requirement for scientific studies outside the control of the applicant to be submitted during the assessment and approval process for genetically modified crops and foods.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The assessment and approval process for genetically modified (GM) crops and foods is laid down in European Union (EU) legislation. It is not a precondition for marketing approval that safety studies should be undertaken by someone other than the applicant.
	There is a specific requirement for applications to market GM food or feed products to include any independent, peer-reviewed studies which have been carried out to demonstrate that the product in question will not have adverse health, environmental or nutritional effects. For applications to release GM crop seeds for cultivation, the EU legislation stipulates that the environmental risk assessment should be carried out in a scientifically sound and transparent manner based on available scientific and technical data.
	All applications to market GM crop seeds and food or feed products are subject to independent scientific scrutiny of the potential risks for human health, animal health and the environment.

Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the indirect effects on all life-forms of producing herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops and foods, including the presence of toxic chemical residues, are taken into account during the assessment and approvals process.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Under the European Union (EU) legislation on the release of genetically modified (GM) organisms, the indirect environmental effects of the specific management techniques associated with a GM herbicide-tolerant crop, including the novel use of the relevant herbicide, will be considered as part of the risk assessment process for the crop in question.
	Other potential effects that may arise from the use of a herbicide associated with a GM herbicide-tolerant crop, including the presence of toxic residues, would be considered under the separate EU legislation concerning the placing on the market of plant protection products.
	The precise interplay of the two sets of legislation that are applicable in this context is currently being considered at EU level.

Alcohol

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Myners on 1 March (WA 318), whether they will estimate the cost to HM Treasury of introducing a zero duty rate on beers of 2.8 per cent ABV and below.

Lord Myners: I regret that the information requested could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Fatalities

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Bolton on 9 December 2009 (WA 127), how many United Kingdom service personnel died during the period 1919 to 31 August 1921; and what details the Commonwealth War Graves Commission hold about such servicemen.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) commemorates 34,610 UK service personnel who died from 1 January 1919 to 31 August 1921. This figure includes a small number of Commonwealth (then Imperial) Service personnel who, although classed as colonial troops, were not from one of the five major contributing countries (Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa) and were not counted separately.
	The details held by the CWGC can include the service person's name, rank, regiment/service, date of death, service number and place of commemoration. In some cases, details can also include the service person's age and their family's details. The details of a service person commemorated by the CWGC are available on the CWGC's debt of honour register via the CWGC's website.

Armed Forces: Mental Health

Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British armed forces personnel have been discharged on mental health grounds in each year since 2005.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given in the other place on 10 March 2010 (Official Report, Commons, cols. 336W-37W) to the honourable Member for Westbury (Dr Murrison).

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have directly or via the European Union made representations about religious freedoms to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We have not made any representations directly or via the EU about religious freedoms to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what provisions are in force for the control of nuclear waste and pollution in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and what contingency plans exist should a nuclear incident occur.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The United Kingdom has arrangements in place covering the use of operational berths around the globe, including in the British Indian Ocean Territory, by the Royal Navy's flotilla of nuclear-powered submarines and those of our allies.
	The policy, which is owned by the Secretary of State for Defence, is to provide a simplified coherent strategy for all of these berths, irrespective of location. It is incumbent on the Commander in Chief Fleet, as duty holder for all operational berths, to demonstrate adequate arrangements for the management of nuclear and environmental safety at Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory. These arrangements are regulated by the Defence Nuclear Regulator on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence. Their consent is required before the berths are used.
	Solid and liquid radioactive waste generated during routine operations onboard Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines is not currently landed at Diego Garcia; it is retained onboard until the submarine returns to the UK. Any change to this policy would require a waste plan acceptable to the regulatory authorities to be produced. Regular environmental surveys show that the marine environment has not been affected by visiting nuclear-powered submarines.
	In the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency occurring at an approved berth in Diego Garcia, a special safety scheme has been drawn up by the local and naval authorities. The MoD's Nuclear Accident Response Organisation is responsible for ensuring an effective response to an accident or incident involving defence nuclear assets or materials, in accordance with its legal obligations and common law duty of care and in keeping with MoD and wider government policy.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is any dispute concerning the boundaries of the British Indian Ocean Territory Exclusive Economic Zone with any neighbouring states; and, if so, whether they intend to resolve those disputes prior to any declaration of a marine protected area.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government of the Maldives have informed us that they are in the process of submitting to the UN on the delimitation of the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Maldives. They have noted that, should any issue arise with respect to the overlapping of their EEZ and our own Environment Preservation and Protection Zone (EPPZ), such issues will need to be discussed and resolved bilaterally between the Government and the Government of the Maldives.
	We will of course liaise with the Government of the Maldives to resolve any outstanding questions relating to the delimitation of our respective EEZ/EPPZ whether or not a decision is taken to proceed with a marine protected area.

British Overseas Territories: Shipwrecks

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they hold on shipwrecks around the British overseas territories; and what measures have been taken to secure their historic value for those territories.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The upkeep of historic sites, including shipwrecks in the overseas territories, is the responsibility of territory Governments.
	The Government do not hold detailed information on shipwrecks around the British Overseas Territories. The Ministry of Defence and Department for Transport hold information on ships that have been lost, but this is classed under ship name rather than place of sinking. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which leads on this issue in the UK, does not hold information for the overseas territories.
	No measures have been taken by the Government to secure the historic value of shipwrecks for those territories.

Broadcasting: Digital Radio

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of digital radio usage has been measured in the last three years; whether they plan to increase the ability to receive digital radio signals; and what is their assessment of the quality of such reception.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Digital radio usage is monitored daily and reported on every quarter by Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR). Its report for Q4 of 2009 showed that around 20 per cent of all radio listening is currently via a digital platform.
	Digital radio broadcasting across the UK currently reaches 90 per cent of the population and this percentage continues to increase. However, new investment will be required to build and improve DAB coverage and reception. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be working with the BBC and commercial operators to ensure that coverage is comparable to FM by the end of 2014.
	In a recent survey, more than 7,000 people were asked what they thought of how digital radio sounds. More than 75 per cent said that it was already as good as or better than FM.

Buying Solutions

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was paid by the Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies to (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) KPMG, (c) Deloitte, (d) Ernst and Young, (e) Grant Thornton, (f) BDO Stoy Hayward, (g) Baker Tilly, (h) Smith and Williamson, (i) Tenon Group, (j) PKF, (k) McKinsey and Company, and (l) Accenture, in each of the past five years for which information is available; how they monitor contracts with those firms; and how the department reports (1) during, and (2) at the end of, contracts to Buying Solutions.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information is in the table below:
	
		
			 Supplier 2009-10 (£) (Spend to Jan 2010) 2008-09 (£) 2007-08 (£) 2006-07 (£) 2005-06 (£) 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 9,062,391 9,175,124 9,393,652 8,554,212 8,005,454 
			 KPMG 577,087 480,886 257,884 664,795 2,245,354 
			 Deloitte 16,314,493 24,742,902 22,869,712 21,712,082 5,865,644 
			 Ernst & Young 251,074 54,214 59,150 0 0 
			 Grant Thornton UK LLP 6,250 100,881 128,161 0 0 
			 BDO Stoy Hayward 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Baker Tilly 0 0 2,275 0 0 
			 Smith & Williamson 59,413 0 0 0 0 
			 Tenon Group 0 0 0 0 0 
			 PKF UK LLP 56 301,891 328,537 869,287 763,505 
			 McKinsey and Company 206,435 0 246,750 3,138,199 188,000 
			 Accenture* 71,566,531 106,177,482 94,936,273 76,169,049 114,719,096 
		
	
	*Accenture spend is significantly higher as it provides application development services for the department's major IT systems.
	Consultancy and development contracts are managed by a named project sponsor within the business unit commissioning the consultancy project. This is supported by a formal process which ensures that the project is monitored throughout its lifecycle and requires ratings on performance. Individual commercial agreements are not reported to Buying Solutions.

Census

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Crawley on 13 January (WA 155-6), what criteria were used in the 2011 census ethnic question prioritisation exercise; what was the scoring system used to decide only to add the category of Gypsy or Irish Traveller to White ethnic group; what other categories were considered; and why an Irish category was included in 2001 and will be maintained it in 2011.

Baroness Crawley: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, director-general for ONS, to Lord Laird, dated March 2010.
	As the director-general for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent Question asking further to the Written Answer by Baroness Crawley on 13 January (WA 155-6), what criteria were used in the 2011 census ethnic question prioritisation exercise; what was the scoring system used to decide only to add the category of Gypsy or Irish Traveller to white ethnic group; what other categories were considered; and why an Irish category was included in 2001 and will be maintained in 2011.(HL2489)
	The ethnic group question is already the longest in the census questionnaire. However, there were still demands for additional response categories. For the 2011 census, there was space only for two additional tick-boxes. As explained in answer to the previous Question referred to above, ONS developed a tool to prioritise requests for additional ethnic group tick-boxes. The ethnic group prioritisation exercise scored each ethnic group under consideration against seven criteria, which were grouped into four broader themes. These were:
	1 Strength of need for information on that group
	1.1 Group is of particular interest for equality monitoring or for policy development (for example, particularly vulnerable to disadvantage)
	1.2 Group is of particular interest for service delivery
	2 Lack of alternative sources of information
	2.1 Write-in answers are not adequate for measuring this group
	2.2 Other census information is inadequate as a suitable proxy
	3 Clarity and quality of the information collected and acceptability to respondents
	3.1 Without this tick-box respondents would be unduly confused or burdened and so the quality of information would be reduced (for example, if a large, well known or highly distinct group was left out and instead respondents from this group ticked a variety of options instead)
	3.2 The addition of the tick-box and/or revised terminology is clear and acceptable to respondents (both in wording and in the context of the question, for example providing mutually exclusive categories) and provides the required information to an acceptable level of quality
	4 Comparability with 2001 data
	4 There will be no adverse impact on comparability
	Potential tick-box categories were identified throughout the extensive period of consultation with users. A score of either 2, 1 or 0 was given to each category for each principle in accordance with the level of supporting evidence and analysis, ensuring a level of consistency in relation to each principle. The scoring method equated to:
	2 High level of evidence1 Medium level of evidence0 Low level or no evidence
	This was the system that was used to decide which tick-boxes to add to the ethnic group question, including Gypsy or Irish Traveller. Full details of the prioritisation tool can be found in an information paper on the website: http://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011-census/2011-census-questionnaire-content/question-and-content-recormnendations-for-2011 /index.html.
	Other categories considered are listed in the summary of scores shown at Annexe A in the information paper referred to above and as listed in a previous Answer in December 2009 (WA230-31).
	A particular case was made for the inclusion of an Irish category in the 2001 census by representatives of the Irish community in Britain to provide a more accurate and reliable basis for identifying and dealing with problems of disadvantage, such as health inequality, facing the Irish community. The inclusion of an Irish category was supported by the then Commission for Racial Equality as well as central government departments and Irish community groups.
	The 2005 consultation showed a continuing requirement for information on the Irish community and found that statistics users were happy with the ethnic populations measured in the 2001 census. ONS therefore recommended that the "Irish" category, and all other categories from the 2001 census, be retained. Consultation on the 2011 census content identified a strong need for comparison of ethnic group statistics with the 2001 census. Consultation also showed that statistics users were happy with the ethnic populations measured in the 2001 census and the 2001 categories have therefore been retained for the 2011 census.

Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payments

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many single farm payments are outstanding for the years 2007 and 2008; how many farmers have not received full payment of their 2007 and 2008 entitlements; and how much is outstanding from 2007 and 2008.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The table below sets out for the single payment scheme (SPS) years 2007 and 2008 in England the number of outstanding payments under the SPS, the estimated number of claims that have not received a full payment and the total value outstanding.
	
		
			 Single Payment Scheme Year Number of claims outstanding as at 3 March 2010 Number of claims not received full payment as at 3 March 2010 Total value outstanding as at 3 March 2010 
			 2007 35 55 £579k 
			 2008 92 106 £2,897k 
			 Total 157* 161 £3,476k 
		
	
	* Included within the 157 outstanding claims are 31 (2007) and 67 (2008) claims that are complex cases involving probate, business partnership changes and domestic issues.

Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payments

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government in how many cases where single farm payments are outstanding the delay is due to computer problems at the Rural Payments Agency.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There are currently 818 single payment scheme claims for the 2009 scheme year where investigations may reveal that the computer system is preventing payment. This equates to 0.77 per cent of the 106,724 claims received under the scheme.
	These cases are being investigated and resolved to make payments to customers as soon as possible. The regulatory payment window runs from 1 December to 30 June.

Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payments

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many upland farmers are overdue single farm payments for each of the years from 2004 to 2009; and how much is outstanding for each of those years.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The single payment scheme (SPS) was introduced in 2005. The current 2009 SPS deadline is 30 June 2010 therefore no payment from this year is overdue.
	The table below sets out the number of outstanding claims under the SPS for 2005-08 in England for farmers who made a hill farm allowance (HFA) claim.
	
		
			 Single Payment Scheme Year Number of claims outstanding as at 3 March 2010 Value of claims outstanding as at 3 March 2010 
			 2005 0 £0 
			 2006 0 £0 
			 2007 0 £0 
			 2008 3 £304k 
			 Total 3 £304k 
		
	
	There are currently also five claims which may be due a top-up payment once their entitlements have been reviewed. Further such claims may arise from data correction work within the Rural Payments Agency.

Consultancy Services

Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Food Standards Agency spent on (a) public relations consultants, and (b) public affairs consultants, in each of the past three years; and for what purposes.

Baroness Thornton: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has used public relations (PR) and public affairs (PA) consultants on specific projects over the past three years.
	The purpose and costs are included in the following table.
	
		
			 PA/PR Expenditure 2007-08 £ 2008-09 £ 2009-10 £ 
			 MHS Interim Communications Management 34,075   
			 External Review of FSA Communications   5,527 
			 Communications Training   5,861 
			 Development and Implementation of Northern Ireland Assembly Public Affairs Programme 14,894 19,892 19,808 (projected spend) 
			 Public Relations support for Eatsafe initiative 2,210 1,150 85 
			 Totals 51,179 21,042 31,281 
		
	
	Note: All costs exclude VAT.

Council Tax

Baroness Turner of Camden: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made to change the name of council tax benefit to council tax rebate; and when they will commence the process of changing it.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: We want to change the name of council tax benefit to council tax rebate at the earliest opportunity. However, we cannot commit to a timetable for implementation until we have fully assessed the precise costs and impact of this change. We are engaging with local authorities and their IT suppliers in work to establish the particular delivery implications and associated costs for local authorities. Similar work is being carried out within Jobcentre Plus and the Pensions Disability and Carers Service, where there are major implications for IT systems which link to local authorities' systems and play a crucial role in supporting benefit claims.

Council Tax

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a summary of key property types and their values, as referred to on page 5 of the Valuation Office Agency's document Council Tax Wales Revaluation 2005: Post Evaluation Reviewof the operational aspects of the project.

Lord Myners: The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The information also contains sales data at an individual property level, which cannot be released by virtue of Section 18(1) of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Culture

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in relation to the nomenclature of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, they have a definition of "culture".

Lord Davies of Oldham: "Culture" is diverse and constantly developing and is not something that can easily be put in a simple definition. The cultural work of the department includes architecture and the historic environment, the royal parks and royal palaces, the performing and visual arts, museums, galleries, libraries and archives, creative industries and tourism.

Department for International Development: Staff

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Dalits are employed by the Department for International Development in their offices in India and Nepal (a) in total, (b) in clerical positions, and (c) in senior management.

Lord Brett: The Department for International Development (DfID) does not require its staff to disclose details of their ethnic background or caste. Consequently we do not have the information requested on record. However, we are supporting improved employment opportunities for excluded groups. For example, DfID Nepal runs an internship programme targeting excluded groups, including Dalits.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 10 February (WA 135-7), what were the services provided to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) by Hanover Communications during 2007 and 2008; what were the public relations matters that necessitated such services; whether such services were in addition to those provided by the HFEA's Head of Communications and Press Officer; and whether the HFEA's Head of Inspection received the same financial support to fulfil the authority's regulatory role.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 27 January (WA 337), to what the Chief Executive of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) was referring when writing in the internal memo placed in the Library of the House that "something clearly has gone wrong-badly wrong over a sustained length of time"; how that was communicated by the HFEA to the public; how long the authority's Head of Inspection had been aware of those issues; and how the relevant concerns are being addressed.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 8 February (WA 81-2), why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) does not hold a record of the particular witnessing system used in each licensed centre; how that relates to moves towards risk-based regulation following the Toft report; and how Trish Davies affected the way the HFEA ensures compliance, as described by the HFEA chief executive in his press statement on 11 January 2010.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 22 February (WA 214), which employees of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority have been responsible for the loss of records following requests by researchers; and why losses that could only be described at disproportionate cost were not included amongst the cases of misconduct described in the Written Answer on 8 February (WA 81-2).
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 8 February (WA 81-2), why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's Compliance Report for February 2009 stated there were no Grade A incidents at the time; how the HFEA had reclassified the grades of serious incidents; why; what were the dates for the initial reporting of incidents 01073 and 01079 at centre 0102; and at what point incidents 01073 and 01079 were subsequently classified as Grade A incidents (as described in the HFEA's press statement on 4 January).
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 8 February (WA 81-2), whether incident 01079 at centre 0102 was considered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to be closed on 23 March 2009; whether incident 01073 at centre 0102 was initially considered by the HFEA to be closed before 23 March 2009; and why the HFEA contacted Mr Yacoub Khalaf again regarding those incidents after contact with the Sunday Times on 24 April 2009 (prior to publication of an article on 26 April 2009).

Baroness Thornton: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that the services provided to the authority by Hanover Communications during 2007 and 2008 were strategic communications advice regarding regulatory action and associated litigation regarding licensed centres 0157 and 0206. These services were in addition to those provided by the HFEA's head of communications and press officer. The HFEA has also advised that the head of inspection did not receive the same financial support.
	HFEA has advised that the matter to which its chief executive was referring is described in paragraph 2 of that same internal memo, which, I am informed, has been given to the noble Lord. As individual cases relating to this matter were resolved, details were placed on the HFEA's website. In addition, a programme of change at the HFEA (known as "Programme 2010") was commenced in late 2007 and extensively publicised. This programme has now been completed. To assess its effectiveness, the HFEA has commenced an internal governance review. Again, I am informed that the terms of reference of the review have been provided to the noble Lord.
	The HFEA has advised that it does not hold a record of the particular witnessing system used in each licensed centre because it considers that this is not necessary to fulfil its statutory duties. The HFEA has implemented the recommendations of the Toft report and, in 2007, further recommendations regarding witnessing were incorporated into the seventh edition of the authority's code of practice. With regard to Ms Trish Davies, the HFEA has advised that it has nothing to add to the press statement of 11 January 2010.
	With respect to the nature of the disproportionate costs referred to in my Written Answer of 8 February 2010 (Official Report, cols. WA81-2) the HFEA has advised that it would need to scrutinise all records created since 1991 in order to establish whether any have been lost following a request from researchers. The resources that this would involve would be substantial and would breach the £800 cost limit.
	The incidents at centre 0102 relate to a complaint against the HFEA about the handling of events to which the noble Lord refers. This complaint is currently the subject of an investigation. Once the investigation into this complaint is complete, the HFEA has undertaken to inform the noble Lord of the outcome.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 19 January (WA 224-5), whether the use of women's eggs for research is considered a serious matter by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and how the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Acts provide for an egg producing an embryo by parthenogenesis.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) received a copy of the document by Dr Alexandra Plows and others entitled Should scientific researchers be allowed to ask women to provide their eggs for disease research?-A statement of concerns in response to the current HFEA consultation; how the HFEA responded to each of the points raised therein; and why the HFEA did not include that document alongside Annexe F in the paper for a meeting held on 21 February 2007 (agenda item 8).
	To ask Her Majesty's Government from whom the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority obtained permission to reproduce the Summary of Edinburgh meeting in a document published on its website.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 8 February (WA 81-2), when Trish Davies highlighted that laboratory operators were the source of the majority of errors reported as "category A incidents"; and what solution was proposed by Dr Stephen Troup of Liverpool Women's Hospital at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's annual conference on 15 March 2005.

Baroness Thornton: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that, regarding the use of eggs for research, it has nothing to add to the information that I gave in my Written Answer of 19 January 2010 (Official Report, cols. WA224-5). The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, applies to embryos, whether created by means of fertilisation or by parthenogenesis.
	The HFEA has advised that the response from Dr Alexandra Plows and others, to which the noble Lord refers, was received and considered during the authority's public consultation in 2006. It is referred to in Annexe D to the paper to which the noble Lord also refers.
	The HFEA has advised that the document Summary of Edinburgh Meeting, to which the noble Lord refers, is a publicly available document.
	In respect of the noble Lord's final Question, the HFEA has advised that it understands this reference to relate to a written account of the authority's annual conference 2005, by Dr Neville Cobb, published on the website of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics. The HFEA has no comment to make about third-party accounts of its proceedings.

Energy: Wind Farms

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their forecast of the number of on-shore and off-shore wind-farm units in 2015.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The lead scenario for meeting our renewable target, as set out in the renewable energy strategy, suggests that the majority of the UK's renewable electricity will come from onshore and offshore wind.
	However, the Government do not set targets for individual energy generation technologies but take a market-based approach to generation. It is therefore not possible to predict the exact number of units (wind turbines) that will be generating in 2015.

Expenditure: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by the Health and Safety Executive in the latest period for which figures are available; and how much it spent in total on all photocopier paper in the last year for which figures are available.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Health and Safety Executive does not distinguish between photocopier and computer printing paper. The average cost for a 500 sheet ream of white A4 80gsm paper for 2008-09 was £2.18.
	All paper used is 100 per cent recycled.
	The total amount spent on all photocopying and printing paper for 2008-09 was £113,427.46.

Expenditure: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by (a) the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and (b) the Government Equalities Office, in the latest year for which figures are available.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Equality and Human Rights Commission does not record expenditure on photocopier paper separately and is unable to provide this information. The Government Equalities Office spent in the order of £4,500.

Expenditure: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by (a) the Environment Agency, (b) the Waste Resources Action Programme, and (c) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The table below shows the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by the Environment Agency (EA), Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Defra.
	Figures are for the financial year 2008-09.
	
		
			  EA WRAP Defra 
			 Paper brand Evolve Office Evolve Evolve Office and Evolve Business 
			 Recycled content 100% Post Consumer Waste (PCW) 100% 100% 
			 Paper type and volume A4-ream wrapped, 80 gsm, 120,000 pa. A3-ream wrapped, 80 gsm, 2,000 pa. A4-80 gsm A3-N/A* A4-80 gsm, 45,125 reams A3-714 reams 
			 Total approx. cost (excl. VAT) A4-£240,000 pa A3-£8,500 £620 A4-£94,177 A3-£3,247 
		
	
	*A3 paper reams are purchased for printing, not photocopying.

Expenditure: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government with reference to the Office of Government Commerce document Saving money on office stationery, what is the annual expenditure by public sector organisations on office stationery; how many different framework agreements there are across departments covering office stationery according to the Office of Government Commerce and Buying Solutions' records; and what is the total value of each framework agreement.

Lord Myners: It is for the relevant public sector body to account for their expenditure on office stationery. This information is not held centrally and to collect it would incur disproportionate cost.
	The Office of Government Commerce has been notified by departments of five framework agreements covering office supplies. These are available on OGC's contracts database (www.ogc.gov.uk/contractsdatabase/).
	Buying Solutions is the contracting authority for one pan-government office supplies framework.

Expenditure: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by the National Archives in the latest period for which figures are available; and how much it spent in total on all photocopier paper in the last year for which figures are available.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by (a) Her Majesty's Stationery Office, and (b) the Office of Public Sector Information, in the latest period for which figures are available; and how much they spent in total on all photocopier paper in the last year for which figures are available.

Lord Bach: The Office of Public Sector Information and Her Majesty's Stationery Office merged with the National Archives in 2006. All expenditure is carried out by the National Archives.
	To disclose the average purchase price of these products would prejudice the commercial interests of the National Archives and would give an unfair advantage to other suppliers.
	The National Archives spent a total of £7,580 on all photocopier paper in 2008-09.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any forced marriage protection orders have been made in cities with large British Asian populations such as Blackburn, Bradford or Leicester.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken further to their assessment of the initial impact of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 to reach Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and to encourage them to respond to the object and purpose of the Act.

Lord Bach: Since implementation of the Act on 25 November 2008 and up to 28 February 2010, a total of 123 forced marriage protection orders (FMPOs) have been made, including in the areas of Blackburn, Bradford and Leicester county courts. This well exceeds the projected number of 50 orders per annum.
	The initial impact of the legislation was set out in the policy paper One Year On. The policy paper highlighted the need for continuing publicity especially within the communities, for training, and for better interagency co-operation. One of the recommendations of that paper is to liaise and work with the Forced Marriage Unit to maintain awareness of the provisions of the Act and to reach "closed" communities.
	The Forced Marriage Unit undertakes around 80 outreach events a year to both professional groups and communities to raise awareness of forced marriage and appropriate responses. This work includes raising awareness of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act and forced marriage protection orders.
	The paper also highlighted the need for action balanced with caution and understanding of the impact of an application on a young person who then loses family and community and will need long-term protection and support. The policy paper is online at http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/10508.htm.

Forests

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, on 8 February (Official Report, Commons, col. 680W), why the area of new woodland planting declined from 2000 to 2009; why the amount in 2006 to 2009 was lower than previous years; and whether they expect that trend will continue.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The decline in new planting is due to a number of factors including the attraction of alternative land uses and the implementation of the response to the 2002 Sustaining England's Woodlands Review. This review led to our support mechanisms from 2005 placing an increased emphasis on the sustainable management of existing woodland, including the restoration and maintenance of our ancient woodlands.
	The 2000-06 England Rural Development Programme woodland creation target was 30,000 hectares and this was exceeded. In the current Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13 we have committed to creating 15,400 hectares of new woodland and we expect current planting levels to at least be maintained.
	In its 2009 Low Carbon Transition Plan, the Government set out its intention to support a new drive to encourage private funding for woodland creation and options to achieve this are being explored.

G8

Lord Cameron of Dillington: To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional funds they have or will commit to research over the next three years as part of the G8 $20 billion commitment for global food security which states "investment in and access to education, research, science and technologies should be substantially strengthened at national, regional and international level".

Lord Brett: In 2008 the Secretary of State for International Development made a commitment to double funding to international agricultural research, reaching a target of £80 million per year by 2013. This commitment was reaffirmed in the recent White Paper, Eliminating World Poverty: Building our Common Future.
	The Department for International Development (DfID) is on track to meet this target. In the current financial year, DfID has spent more than £61 million on international agricultural research, contributing to the total UK support to food and agriculture of over £1 billion.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by the Department for International Development in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord Brett: The Department for International Development (DfID) spent approximately £44,000, excluding VAT, on standard A4 paper during 2008-09. This paper was used in both photocopiers and printers.
	This figure relates to expenditure in the UK. Figures for our overseas offices are not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by the Scotland Office in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord Davidson of Glen Clova: The Scotland Office does not record separately spending on photocopier paper and other types of copier paper. In the financial year 2008-09, excluding value added tax, the Scotland Office spent £2,871 on all types of copier paper.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by the Ministry of Justice in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord Bach: In the 2008-09 financial year, the Ministry of Justice had in operation numerous contracts for the supply of photocopier paper.
	The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) had one main supplier for photocopier paper incurring £1,089,154. In addition, prison industries spent a further £595,532 on specialist paper used for their printing workshops.
	For the rest of the department-comprising the Ministry of Justice headquarters, HM Courts Service, Tribunals Service and the Office of the Public Guardian-several different contracts had been used to supply photocopier paper. It is not possible to determine the total expenditure on photocopier paper in 2008-09 without incurring the disproportionate cost of examining individual transactions which took place under the multiple contracts. However, the expenditure under the main contract for photocopier paper was £1,417,907 for the year.
	It is possible, though unlikely, that some further expenditure may have been incurred outside of those contracts using the government procurement card (GPC). To investigate whether any photocopier paper had been purchased with the GPC card would incur disproportionate cost.
	Since May 2009, the Ministry of Justice has consolidated its office supply contracts into one main supplier in order to derive the best value for money option possible. Prison industries, however, still continue to order specialist paper from other suppliers for their print industry.
	All figures stated exclude VAT.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by (a) the Department of Health, and (b) the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, in the latest year for which figures are available.

Baroness Thornton: Within the last financial year that figures are available (2008-09), the department spent £222,237.72 on photocopying and printing paper.
	The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) spent £2,240.10.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord Young of Norwood Green: Information on photocopier paper purchased by departmental directorates is not held centrally.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total expenditure, excluding value added tax, on photocopier paper by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Since 01 April 2009, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has spent £85,760.86 on stationery. This amount includes the expenditure on photocopier paper, which is not recorded separately.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 19 January (WA 235), whether they will publish the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by the Ministry of Justice in the latest period for which figures are available.

Lord Bach: We do not intend to publish the average price of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper because to do so would breach contractual commercial confidentiality provisions and would give an unfair advantage to other suppliers.

Government: Office Equipment

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by the Office of Government Commerce in the latest period for which figures are available.

Lord Myners: The average price for a ream of A4 80 gsm copier paper paid by HM Treasury (which incorporates the Office of Government Commerce) in 2008-09 was £1.69 (ex VAT).

Housing: Brownfield Sites

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to use brownfield sites for housing in England, rather than using green belt land.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government's planning for housing policy (planning policy statement 3) sets a target for 60 per cent of all new housing to be delivered on previously developed (brownfield) land. This policy has been a success, with the latest figures showing that in 2008, on a provisional estimate, 79 per cent of all new housing was delivered on such land. This compares to 56 per cent in 1997.
	There is a general presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt (which includes brownfield sites within the green belt), as set out in PPG 2 (planning policy guidance note 2, Green Belts). Such development is, by definition, harmful to the green belt and should not be approved, except in very special circumstances. Very special circumstances will not exist unless the harm caused to the green belt is clearly outweighed by other considerations. The only new-build housing in green belt to be treated as not inappropriate would generally be limited to infill in existing villages or else affordable housing to meet local need if allowed for as an exception in development plan policies.
	In 2008, only 2 per cent of all new dwellings in England were built in the green belt. Moreover, of those dwellings built in the green belt, the latest estimate (2007) showed that 77 per cent were built on brownfield land.

Housing: Valuation

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (a) solar panels, and (b) a small wind turbine, are considered by the Valuation Office Agency when assessing the capital value of a dwelling for a council tax valuation or revaluation.

Lord Myners: Improvements made after a dwelling is first entered into a council tax valuation list are not taken into account unless and until a property is sold. If to be considered when (i) a dwelling is first entered into a list, (ii) following a sale or (iii) at a general revaluation of all dwellings, it is unlikely that (a) solar panels or (b) a small wind turbine would add significant value and hence are unlikely to result in a higher council tax band than would otherwise apply.

Immigration

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 4 March (HL2336), whether any other department keeps statistics on how many British citizens have been refused entry to the United States or other countries; and, if not, whether they have assessed the usefulness of doing so.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We are not aware of any other department keeping statistics on how many British citizens have been refused entry to the United States or other countries. We have not assessed the usefulness of keeping such statistics ourselves. Neither the national authorities nor the individuals concerned are obliged to inform us of such cases.

Iraq

Lord Acton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Iraqi refugees there are in countries neighbouring Iraq.

Lord Brett: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides the only verifiable data on the number of Iraqi refugees. As of 31 January 2010, the total number of refugees registered with UNHCR across the region was 228,733, of which 163,207 are located in Syria; 38,833 in Jordan; 9,015 in Lebanon; 6,608 in Egypt; 6,658 in Turkey; and 4,412 in Iran.

Kyrgyzstan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will pursue treaties or co-operation agreements with Kyrgyzstan covering (a) double taxation, (b) protection of investment, and (c) culture and education.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The UK already has treaties with the Kyrgyz Republic covering the fields of protection of investment and culture and education. These are covered by my Written Answer to the noble Lord on 2 February 2010 (Official Report, col. WA 33) and both treaties are listed in the corresponding document that was deposited in the Libraries of the Houses.
	We are aware of a request from the Kyrgyz Government for a double taxation agreement. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is able to conclude only a limited number of these agreements each year and will keep this request in mind as they work through their forward programme.

Legal Aid

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 24 February (WA 305-6), what was the expenditure on legal aid per capita in (a) Northern Ireland, and (b) England and Wales in each of the past three years.

Lord Bach: The expenditure on legal aid per capita for Northern Ireland and England and Wales for the past three financial years is as follows:
	
		
			  Northern Ireland England and Wales 
			  Exp £m 1Population (millions) £ per cap Exp (£m) 2Population (millions) £ per cap 
			 2006-07 69.0 1.741 39.63 1,980 53.729 36.85 
			 2007-08 72.4 1.759 41.15 2,023 54.072 37.41 
			 2008-09 83.0 1.775 46.76 2,099 54.440 38.55 
		
	
	1 Source-Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
	2 Source-Office for National Statistics

Legal Aid: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the agreement at Hillsborough Castle increased the annual Northern Ireland legal aid budget final allocation from £80 million in 2008-09 to £100 million this year; and why there has been a one-off allocation over the next two years of a further £12 million.

Lord Bach: The Prime Minister's letter of 21 October 2009 made adjustments to the legal aid baseline. The settlement adjusted the baseline from £65 million to £85 million for 2009-10 to 2012-13. The baseline was then reduced to £79 million to take account of the effect of efficiency savings. Additional funding of up to £39 million was also made available to meet any shortfall in legal aid funding above baselines until planned efficiencies take effect and to cover other Court Service pressures. £17 million of the additional funding was accessed in 2009-10 to cover the shortfall in legal aid required above the revised baseline.

Live Music

Lord Colwyn: To ask Her Majesty's Government with regard to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport report Live Music: An Analysis of the Sector, of 28 January, (a) what is the definition of the term professional musician, and (b) how many professional musicians are included in the total of "those employed in live music performance" in 2006 and 2008.

Lord Davies of Oldham: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer that I gave to Lord Clement-Jones on 23 February 2010 (Official Report, col. WA 285).

Maldives

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Government of the Maldives about the proposal to create a marine protected area in the British Indian Ocean Territory Exclusive Economic Zone.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: No discussions have been held with the Government of the Maldives about the proposal to create a marine protected area in the British Indian Ocean Territory Environment Preservation and Protection Zone. However, the Maldives have responded to the consultation and, as with all other responses, their views will be taken into account.

Ministry of Defence: Data Loss

Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been affected by incidents of data loss at the Ministry of Defence in each of the past five years.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: There is no evidence to date that any individual has suffered loss or harm as a consequence of an incident of data loss at the Ministry of Defence.
	Details of incidents of data loss reported to the Information Commissioner, including the number of people potentially affected, have been reported in the annual report and accounts since 2007-08. Copies of the annual report are available on the MoD internet site at the following link: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AnnualReports/.

NHS: Foundation Trusts

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government which applications to merge hospital trusts or other NHS organisations have been made to the Co-operation and Competition Panel since its establishment.

Baroness Thornton: The Co-operation and Competition Panel began operations in January 2009 and has received the following merger cases involving National Health Service organisations:
	merger of Croydon Primary Care Trust's (PCT's) provider services arm and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust;transfer of Buckinghamshire PCT's provider services arm to Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust;East London NHS Foundation Trust proposals to acquire Newham PCT's provider services arm;merger of South-East Essex's provider services arm and Mid-Essex's provider services arm;merger of Ealing PCT's provider services arm, Harrow PCT's provider services arm and Ealing Hospital NHS Trust;merger of NHS Lewisham's provider services arm with Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust;merger of Portsmouth's provider services arm and Southampton City's provider services arm;merger of Bexley Care Trust with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South London Healthcare Trusts;transfer of services from Derby City Provider Services to Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;merger of West Sussex Provider Services and South Downs Health NHS Trust; acquisition of Bedfordshire and Luton Partnership NHS Trust;merger of NHS Richmond and Twickenham and NHS Hounslow provider services arms; andtransfer of NHS Barking and Dagenham community health services business to North East London Foundation Trust.

NHS: Independent Sector

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what grounds the Department of Health has instructed primary care trusts in the east of England that they cannot seek service providers from outside the National Health Service; and whether ministers will allow the Co-operation and Collaboration Panel to complete their examination of cases of community services changes of provider that they have been instructed by the Department of Health to cease.

Baroness Thornton: The department has not instructed primary care trusts in the east of England that they cannot procure services from independent and third sector providers or instructed the Co-operation and Competition Panel to cease any investigations.

Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the public consultation period for a bill of rights for Northern Ireland has been extended to 31 March; how many responses had been received from individuals at the conclusion of the initial consultation period; and how many (a) daily newspapers, and (b) weekly newspapers, the original public consultation invitation was advertised in.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Bill of Rights consultation period was extended by four weeks to 31 March following receipt of requests from consultees for an extension to the deadline, to allow more time for those individuals and organisations that wish to respond to the consultation to do so.
	By 1 March, 84 detailed responses from individuals and organisations and 479 mailshot responses had been received. The launch of the public consultation was advertised in the three main daily newspapers in Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News Letter.

Olympic Games 2012

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Olympic Delivery Authority formally to respond to the recent National Audit Office report on co-ordination between bodies responsible for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The National Audit Office report was addressed at the oral evidence session of the Public Accounts Committee on Monday 8 March. Should the committee subsequently publish a report, it will be for the Government to respond formally.

Overseas Territories: South Atlantic Federation

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the advantages of forming a south Atlantic federation of overseas territories for the Falkland Islands and St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Falkland Islands is one overseas territory of the United Kingdom and St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are another. This was confirmed by new constitutions for both territories that were negotiated in 2008 and 2009, following extensive consultations on all the islands.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many United Kingdom passports were reported (a) lost, and (b) stolen, during each of the past five calendar years; and how many of those were lost in transit between the Identity and Passport Service and the recipient.

Lord West of Spithead: The attached table sets out the total number of UK passports that have been recorded as lost, stolen or recovered since 2005. The category "other" is used by the Identity and Passport Service predominantly when a passport is declared damaged or destroyed.
	The second table attached sets out how many new passports were recorded as lost or stolen in transit during the delivery process for the past five years. These figures are incorporated into the lost and stolen figures in the first table attached.
	The periods in the table above reflect the commencement of the current secure delivery arrangements in February 2004. IPS is still collating the data for the period since September 2009, but the indications are that the fall in the rate of loss is continuing. This is attributed to the use of handheld GPS units to support deliveries, introduced at the end of 2008.
	
		
			 Year Totals No. of Lost Passports No. of Stolen Passports Other 
			 2005 286,988 230,011 45,709 11,268 
			 2006 290,996 237,879 41,830 11,287 
			 2007 303,572 251,751 41,393 10,428 
			 2008 296,018 249,261 38,120 8,637 
			 2009 272,963 232,852 32,276 7,835 
		
	
	
		
			  Deliveries Lost/stolen Losses as percentage of deliveries 
			 Feb 05-Jan 06 6 774 367 1,042 0.015 
			 Feb 06-Jan 07 6 637 242 727 0.011 
			 Feb 07-Jan 08 6 189 465 717 0.012 
			 Feb 08-Jan 09 5 592 994 654 0.012 
			 Feb 09-Sep 09 4 237 267 327 0.008

Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL]

Lord Selsdon: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 14 November 2007 (WA 25), under which Acts and secondary legislation listed in the Schedule to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] officials of Communities and Local Government and of public or private bodies answerable to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government or otherwise exercising powers of entry can enter and search the homes or business premises of United Kingdom citizens.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Department for Communities and Local Government is responsible for 117 powers of entry through 48 Acts and one power of entry through one statutory instrument as set out in the table below.
	Primary
	
		
			 Year Statute Department responsible No. of powers Repealed 
			 1984 Building Act 1984 DCLG 2  
			 1960 Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 DCLG 2  
			 1950 City of London (Various Powers) Act 1950 DCLG 1  
			 1961 City of London (Various Powers) Act 1961 DCLG 1  
			 1965 City of London (Various Powers) Act 1965 DCLG 2  
			 1977 City of London (Various Powers) Act 1977 DCLG 1  
			 1965 Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 DCLG 2  
			 2004 Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 DCLG 3  
			 1968 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1968 DCLG 1  
			 1981 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981 DCLG 1  
			 1984 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984 DCLG 2  
			 1985 Housing Act 1985 DCLG 8  
			 1996 Housing Act 1996 DCLG 2  
			 2004 Housing Act 2004 DCLG 6  
			 1927 Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 DCLG 1  
			 1985 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 DCLG 2  
			 1993 Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 DCLG 3  
			 1976 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 DCLG 6  
			 1982 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 DCLG 5  
			 1989 Local Government and Housing Act 1989 DCLG 1  
			 1988 Local Government Finance Act 1988 DCLG 1  
			 1992 Local Government Finance Act 1992 DCLG 2  
			 1980 Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 DCLG 1  
			 1930 London Building Act 1930 DCLG 1  
			 1939 London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939 DCLG 4  
			 1912 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1912 DCLG 1  
			 1920 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1920 DCLG 2  
			 1948 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1948 DCLG 1  
			 1949 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1949 DCLG 2  
			 1956 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1956 DCLG 1  
			 1957 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1957 DCLG 5  
			 1959 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1959 DCLG 3  
			 1963 London County Council (General Powers) Act 1963 DCLG 3  
			 1991 London Local Authorities Act 1991 DCLG 1  
			 1995 London Local Authorities Act 1995 DCLG 4  
			 1996 London Local Authorities Act 1996 DCLG 1  
			 2004 London Local Authorities Act 2004 DCLG 2  
			 1985 Mineral Workings Act 1985 DCLG 2  
			 1841 Ordnance Survey Act 1841 DCLG 1  
			 1996 Party Wall etc Act 1996 DCLG 2  
			 1990 Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 DCLG 2  
			 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 DCLG 2  
			 1974 Prices Act 1974 DCLG 1  
			 1991 Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 DCLG 2  
			 1978 Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 DCLG 1  
			 1990 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 DCLG 13  
			 1984 Video Recordings Act 1984 DCLG 2  
			 1985 Weights and Measures Act 1985 DCLG 2  
		
	
	Secondary
	
		
			 Year SI no. Authority Title Dept No of powers Revoked 
			 2005 1541 Regulatory Reform Act 2001 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 DCLG 1

Public and Commercial Services Union: Redundancy

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the proposed arrangements on redundancy that have led to the dispute with the Public and Commercial Services Union.

Baroness Crawley: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Statement given in the other place by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 3 February 2010 (Official Report, cols. 11-13 WS).

Railways: Franchises

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 9 March (HL2546), whether their plan to let the East Coast franchise in 2011 takes account of the experience of the previous two franchises.

Lord Adonis: The new InterCity East Coast franchise is planned to start in autumn 2011. The specification for the new franchise builds on the improvements delivered by the previous franchisees and the current public sector operator. Provisions will be incorporated in the new franchise agreement to ensure that it is more robust against risks that could lead to premature termination.

Railways: Franchises

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 9 March (HL2546), whether their plan to let the East Coast franchise in 2011 takes account of their intention to review the franchising process.

Lord Adonis: The Government plan to incorporate the recommendations from their review of rail franchising into the new InterCity East Coast franchise within the timescale for letting of that franchise in 2011.

Railways: Franchises

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 9 March (HL2546), whether their plan to let the East Coast franchise in 2011 takes account of the state of the economy and any effects thereof on the competitiveness of bids.

Lord Adonis: The new InterCity East Coast franchise is planned to start in autumn 2011. A key element of the franchise specification process is to forecast future demand for rail travel, taking into account the best available data on current and future economic conditions. Economic conditions do not have a direct impact on the competitiveness of bids, although clearly they affect the level of premium that bidders may be able to offer.

Railways: Franchises

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 9 March (HL2546), whether their plan to let the East Coast franchise in 2011 takes account of their intention to introduce a significantly revised timetable in mid-2011.

Lord Adonis: The new InterCity East Coast franchise is planned to start in autumn 2011 and the franchise specification assumes that the proposed new timetable will have been introduced in May 2011.

Rwanda

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the government of Rwanda's progress towards achieving the principles in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration, with particular reference to the forthcoming Rwandan presidential election.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We welcomed Rwanda's accession to the Commonwealth, agreed unanimously at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago in November last year. Rwanda has made progress towards meeting the Commonwealth's core values, in the areas of democratic process; rule of law; good governance; protection of human rights and equality of opportunity; and economic policies aimed at improving the welfare of the public. While much remains to be done in all these areas, we are pleased that member states have embraced the opportunity to engage constructively with Rwanda as the 54th member of the Commonwealth. With particular reference to the forthcoming presidential election, scheduled for August this year, we feel that Rwanda has made good progress at institutionalising the democratic process. The UK works closely with the Rwandan National Election Commission (NEC), including to see fully implemented the recommendations made by the EU Election Observer Mission in 2007, as well as with regard to the practicalities of the forthcoming elections.
	We also engage regularly, both bilaterally and with our EU partners, with the Rwandan Government to support political and media freedoms in Rwanda.

Schools: Racism

Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government who has been consulted as part of the Maurice Smith review of the provisions which prevent the promotion of racism in schools; and on what dates.

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families announced on 30 September 2009 that he had asked Maurice Smith, the former Ofsted Chief Inspector of Schools, to look into the issue of racism in schools and report his findings by the end of January 2010. Maurice Smith has now submitted his report to the Secretary of State, who is considering its conclusions and recommendations. A copy of the report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses when it is published and will include details of all the organisations that contributed to the review.

Tajikistan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will pursue treaties or co-operation agreements with Tajikistan covering (a) double taxation, (b) protection of investment, and (c) culture and education.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We are aware of a request from the Government of Tajikistan for a double taxation agreement. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is able to conclude only a limited number of these agreements each year and will keep this request in mind as it works through its forward programme. Until such time as it is feasible to negotiate a new agreement, both Governments continue to apply the provisions of the UK/USSR double taxation agreement in their bilateral tax relations.
	The UK does not have treaties or co-operation agreements with Tajikistan covering the protection of investment or culture and education but stands ready to consider a request for such arrangements.

Tajikistan: UK Diplomatic Staff

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the no-child policy applicable to United Kingdom-based diplomatic staff posted to Ashgabat and Dushanbe.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: Our policy for our embassies in Ashgabat and Dushanbe, that the children of UK-based diplomats are unable to accompany them to post, is kept under close review. The decision to designate any of our overseas missions as no-child posts is taken very seriously and considers a range of factors.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are monitoring the payment by the Government of Turkey of compensation of €40,000 to 20 journalists, awarded in January by the European Court of Human Rights.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government are not monitoring the compensation payment from the Government of Turkey to 20 journalists. The European Court of Human Rights will be monitoring this payment, and the Government have full confidence in the European Court of Human Rights' monitoring processes.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the government of Turkey about the conditions of imprisonment of Mr Abdullah Ocalan on Imrali island, following comments made by his lawyers.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The UK Government have not made bilateral representations about this case. However, improvements in human rights, including prison conditions, form a key part of the EU accession process, and the European Commission monitors developments closely, including the situation of Abdullah Ocalan, and raises areas of concern as necessary.

Water Management

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they have given to representations by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) that United Kingdom water quality standards will not reach the necessary level by 2015 on current rate of progress.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The WWF has made a number of representations to both Defra and the Environment Agency about the implementation of the water framework directive.
	The river basin management plans, which were published on 22 December 2009, set out how we intend to reach our water quality objectives as required by the directive. A key objective within the directive is to aim to achieve good status by 2015. However, this is subject to the consideration of some tests and the use of exemptions.
	A summary of the responses to the consultation on the river basin management plans, including representations from the WWF, is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd.

Waterways: Ecology Status Targets

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect all inland, coastal and estuary waters to meet the ecological standard set by the European Union Water Framework Directive (2000/60 EC) by 2015.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Secretary of State approved the river basin management plans for England and Wales for publication on 22 December 2009. The plans set out the actions needed to meet the requirements of the water framework directive. The current plans will ensure that 33 per cent of all water bodies achieve good ecological status by 2015. The Environment Agency and other co-deliverers are investigating the use of alternative objectives in planning for cycles 2 and 3 of the river basin management plans to ensure that the water framework directive objectives are achieved by 2027.

Waterways: Ecology Status Targets

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the criteria by which the Environment Agency will allow exceptions if some waters do not reach the ecological standard set by the European Union Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) by 2015.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The criteria for the Environment Agency to allow exceptions to the water framework directive standards were set out in guidance from Defra.
	The water framework directive sets out default objectives which apply unless it is permissible to deviate from them. Annexe 6 summarises these default objectives and the water bodies to which they apply. Article 4 of the water framework directive also sets out specific ways in which, in certain circumstances, member states may deviate from achieving the default objectives (eg good status by 2015). Objectives that are different from default objectives are referred to in this guidance as alternative objectives.
	The types of alternative objective are an extended deadline; a less stringent objective; different objectives for heavily modified or artificial water bodies; or different objectives where there are new modifications and new sustainable development activities.